San Francisco 49ers: 5 Round 1 prospects to watch in the 2019 NFL Draft

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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5. Devin White, Linebacker, LSU

In this writers opinion, LSU linebacker Devin White is the best non-defensive line prospect in this draft class and it isn’t even close.

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White is a smart, skillful and instinctive linebacker who doesn’t have a weakness to his game. He can shut down runners, play well in coverage and blitz the quarterback with lightning speed.

White has picked up where he left off this season. And after a starring role for LSU in their upset of Georgia, he currently has 66 tackles and one sack, seven tackles coming for a loss and three passes defended.

Some may raise their eyebrows at another first-round linebacker, but the 49ers need a replacement for SAM backer Malcolm Smith.

The 49ers could potentially be set up for the future with Reuben Foster, Fred Warner and White as their linebacker corps.

In a draft dominated by defensive line prospects, White may be the one player that could break that trend.